Hot Rods What Happened to Hilborn?

Very cool. I have a couple of sets in the rafters.

 

I think I might have helped pack some of those boxes. I heard they were going to someone but I didn't catch the name, I'm not really in the racing world but I know people that are. It's sad that Holley took most of the machines (some of them were custom built), some looked to be military surplus. I did get a few things that were getting thrown away.

Here's some shots I took and some from Google:

 

Boys, our gear head business/ hobby is going the way of the dinosaur's. The bean counters and offshore suppliers are in the driver's seat. Holly is run by Sentinel Capital Partners, a buyout and divestiture outfit, goggle them. Bad news. Support the small shops that carry the torch. Get what you need or will need now! Bearings, carb parts, the last of what is of a good quality, because it is going away sooner than later.

 

I need one of those scoops!

 

@1oldtimer, you happen to have any other photos from inside the shop?

 

Unfortunately no. I kinda felt weird taking pics inside the offices as I was just a guest and was the third time meeting Duane. I was more fascinated with the machines Stuart made to fabricate his parts. The only other areas were the shipping corner, flow/rebuild room and storage. I did find another angle that shows more shop in the background.

 

I appreciate you! That drill press is something I'm after along with a few other pieces of equipment I sure could use. I guess I'll see what happens with Hilborn closing down at Holley......
Ingenious idea to be able to reverse spot face castings!

 

The other home made tool was to bore the throttle shafts at once. He had a bunch of surplus gear boxes like this one around the shop for different things.


I first heard that they wouldn't be rebuilding anything, just producing new product. I was glad to see that the stuff Holley didn't want was going to someone who did want them and the lighting company that bought the building also bought some lathes.


I did get to see the blueprints he had and some wooden molds (I hope they were saved).

 

It's all in safe hands now. I'm hoping to end up with a portion of it. Been the sole guy restoring Hilborn stuff the past few years. See how things shake out I suppose.

 

It's been hard to watch Holley acquire so many thriving businesses and slowly close them up or in my opinion, ruin the business model that worked for them.

 

let me know if you come across a small block dodge manifold...

-rick

 

New to posting. Looking for information on getting a Hilborn certificate of authenticity. Have a Hilborn unit for a Studebaker V8, serial number 106. Talked to Holley not much help. Customer service tech talked to somebody that had worked for Holley for 40 years and had never heard of that paperwork. Any help would be much appreciated.
Studillac

 

History Inquiries are on hold. Holley has all the records but only 1 or 2 people have access to it or even know how to look it up (I know who they are). Calling in will get you nowhere as you have found out. With them closing the Hilborn brand down its all in the air at the moment. I'm doing what I can on my end, only time will tell how this shakes out. I see this transition as being a long drawn out process.

 

Good luck Nick. Hope the history doesn't get lost.

 

Very cool!.... Hope you have t shirts made up with the logo...

 

By chance...
You didn't happen to buy that unit off eBay a decade ago or so?

 

Nick,
Thanks for your posting. After I got off the phone, it dawned on me that the Holley employee of 40 years probably knew nothing about the Hilborn business practices.
Jim

 

Jim, you are correct. Don Enriquez who has worked for Hilborn for 50+ years is the sole guy that knows how to look it up. However, they have relocated him within Holley since they shut down his section. Holley employees really don't know about the history lookup, pretty unique that Hilborn kept all of its build records compared to other companies. That is one of the coolest things about Hilborn, the records! I'm in regular contact with Don but in rare cases can I get history searches done through him on the injectors I restore. In due time I hope this will change. At this point, many know I'm the sole guy trying to keep Hilborn alive in my own fashion. I've been restoring injectors and manufacturing components that Holley didn't have interest in doing for some time. There is a mountain of news I have had under my belt for the past year but won't spill the beans until I see how things shake out with the Hilborn brand. I would love to end up with it, my dedication, talent, business sense, and innovation says it may have a shot with me (been in business for 22+ years). Maybe the higher ups at Holley will throw me a bone to see if Hilborn can live another day? A guy can wish and hope!